A golf putter with special sole configuration

ABSTRACT

A golf putter head ( 10 ) having an under surface ( 14 ) for contacting the ground and a ball-striking face. The under surface comprises a setting surface ( 26 ), operable to facilitate setting of the putter in the most optimum position on the ground prior to putting a golf ball, and a first lateral surface ( 28 ) and a second lateral surface ( 30 ), the setting surface being disposed adjacent and between the first and second lateral surfaces, wherein at least one of the first and second lateral surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to the setting surface.

The present invention relates to golf clubs, particularly to golf putters and more particularly to improving the striking of a golf ball with the ball striking face of golf putters.

Golf putters have traditionally had a relatively smooth ball-striking face, whereas the ball-striking face of wood-type and iron-type golf clubs have been provided with grooves. Upon striking a golf ball, the grooves engage the ball and cause it to spin to enhance a golf shot in a predetermined manner. However, the present invention does not relate to wood-type nor iron-type golf clubs, but to putters only.

In order to achieve accuracy in a golf putt, both in direction and length, it is desirable for the golf ball to begin to properly roll as soon as possible after being struck and also for the golf ball to maintain the energy imparted to it from the golf putter. A common problem with many known golf putters is that upon striking a golf ball they cause the ball to skid along the surface of the ground, thereby reducing the directional accuracy and energy imparted to the ball from the putter.

Furthermore, if a golf ball is struck by a putter which upon striking the ball is not properly square with the underlying ground the directional accuracy and energy imparted to the ball by the putter is significantly reduced.

The object of the present invention is to at least substantially mitigate the above-mentioned problems with known golf putters.

According to the present invention there is provided a golf putter head comprising an under surface, for contacting the ground, and a ball-striking face, wherein the under surface comprises a setting surface, operable to facilitate setting of the putter in the most optimum position on the ground prior to putting a golf ball, and a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface, the setting surface being disposed adjacent and between the first and second lateral surfaces, wherein at least one of the first and second lateral surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to the setting surface.

The under surface advantageously further comprises a front peripheral surface and a rear peripheral surface, the setting surface being disposed adjacent to and between the front and rear peripheral surfaces, wherein at least one of the front and rear peripheral surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to the setting surface.

The centre of gravity of the putter head advantageously extends through the setting surface.

The golf putter head preferably comprises a leading edge along which the under surface meets with the ball striking face, wherein the leading edge is rounded or chamfered.

The golf putter head advantageously comprises an upper surface having a plurality of substantially conically shaped holes, each hole tapering to a visual alignment point which collectively provide an alignment axis extending substantially perpendicular relative to the plane of the ball-striking face.

The golf putter head advantageously comprises an upper surface having a plurality of parallel elongate alignment marks extending in a parallel relationship with an alignment axis extending substantially perpendicular relative to the plane of the ball-striking face.

The ball-striking face advantageously comprises a plurality grooves extending thereinto, wherein adjacent grooves are spaced between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm apart, measured from centre-to-centre of adjacent grooves on the plane of the surface of the ball striking face. More preferably, the adjacent grooves are spaced approximately 2 mm apart.

At least part of each groove is substantially arcuate in cross-section.

The grooves extend into the ball-striking face preferably to a depth of less than 3 mm, and more preferably to a depth of approximately 0.25 mm.

Two or more of the plurality of grooves are advantageously disposed in a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other. The adjacent parallel grooves are disposed preferably less than 2 mm apart, and more preferably approximately 0.7 mm apart.

The grooves are preferably less than 2.5 mm wide and more preferably are approximately 1.3 mm wide.

The ball striking face advantageously has a loft of approximately 4° or less, relative to a substantially vertical plane.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a golf putter comprising a shaft and a golf putter head as mentioned above.

The shaft advantageously extends upwards from the putter head at an angle towards an extended plane of the ball-striking surface.

Additionally or alternatively, the shaft extends at an angle of between 15° and 25° relative to a vertical axis of the putter head. More preferably, the shaft extends at an angle of approximately 19° relative to a vertical axis of the putter head.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a golf putter head, according to the present invention, showing the ball-striking face;

FIG. 2 is a drawing of an upper surface of the golf putter head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a lower surface of the golf putter head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a cross section, through X-X, of a detail of the putter head as shown on FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a drawing of a cross section, through Y-Y, of the putter head shown on FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a drawing of a cross section, though Z-Z, of a putter having a putter head as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a golf putter head 10, according to the present invention, has a ball-striking surface 12, a lower surface 14 and an upper surface 16. In normal use, the ball-striking surface 12 is used to strike a golf ball during a putting stroke, the lower surface 14 is used to rest the putter on the ground adjacent the golf ball prior to the putting stroke and the upper surface 16 faces upwardly and is in view of the user throughout the putting stroke.

The ball-striking face 12 has a plurality of grooves 18. As shown in the enlarged cross-section of FIG. 4, the grooves are arcuate in shape. The arcuate shape of the grooves is significant as it has been found to encourage a golf ball to begin to roll sooner after having been struck and at least substantially mitigates the tendency for the struck golf ball to skid prior to beginning to roll. This is particularly advantageous as it enhances the directional accuracy and energy transposed to the ball from the putter face, when compared with known putters. The plurality of grooves 18 are in a parallel relationship relative to each other and extend laterally across a central ball-striking region 20 of the ball striking face 12. The central ball striking region is typically approximately 40 mm in width.

Referring to FIG. 4, the ball-striking face 12 has a loft of approximately 4° or less relative to a normal vertical plane 22 and may be of a particular loft to suit particular styles of putting. However, it is preferable that the ball-striking face is of a positive loft.

Each groove 18 extends into the ball-striking face 12 to a maximum depth of approximately 3 mm. However, the grooves may be shallower and in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the grooves extend into the ball-striking face to a depth of approximately 0.25 mm.

The maximum width of each groove 18 is less than approximately 2.5 mm. However, in a preferred embodiment the width of each groove is less than 2.0 mm and in a more preferred embodiment the width of each groove is approximately 1.3 mm.

Each groove 18 is spaced apart from an adjacent groove by an intermediate ball engaging portion 24. Each of the intermediate ball engaging portions 24 are less than approximately 1 mm wide (i.e. the distance between grooves). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the intermediate ball engaging portions 24 are approximately 0.7 mm wide.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the period of the plurality of grooves 18 is 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, i.e. the distance between adjacent grooves, measured from centre-to-centre on the plane of the surface of the ball striking surface. In a more preferred embodiment the period of the plurality of grooves is approximately 2 mm.

Referring to FIG. 3, the lower surface 14 has a setting surface 26, a first and a second lateral surface, 28 and 30, a front peripheral surface 32 and a rear peripheral surface 34.

The setting surface 26 is typically approximately 15 mm wide and approximately 65 mm in length and is parallel with the plane of the upper surface 16. The first and second lateral surfaces, 28 and 30, each extend from the setting surface 26 at angle such that peripheral edges, 36 and 38, respectively, of the first and second lateral surfaces are raised above an extended plane 40 of the setting surface by approximately 3.5 mm

Similarly, the front peripheral surface 32 extends from the setting surface 26 at an angle such that the peripheral edge 42, of the front peripheral surface 32, is raised above the extended plane 40, of the setting surface, by approximately 1.5 mm. The peripheral edge 42 extends along the width of the ball striking region 20 of the ball striking surface 18.

The rear peripheral surface 34 also extends from the setting surface 26 at an angle such that the peripheral edge 44, of the rear peripheral surface 34, is raised above the extended plane 40 by approximately 2 mm.

The lower surface arrangement of the peripheral edges, 36, 38, 42 and 44 provides for the centre of gravity of the putter head to pass through the setting surface 26. It will be appreciated that other dimensions may be used within the meaning of the present invention provided they result in the centre of gravity passing through the central setting surface.

The lower surface 14 meets with the ball-striking face 12 at a leading edge 46 which can be rounded or chamfered such that, in use, when the putter head is in the down-swing stage of the putting stroke the leading edge does not tend to make contact and temporarily dig into the ground prior to striking the ball. This advantageously contributes to a clean strike of the ball and thereby facilitates the transfer of accuracy from the putter head to the ball.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the upper surface 16 has means for facilitating alignment of the putter head 10 with a golf ball. The means for facilitating alignment includes a plurality of conically shaped holes 48 disposed in linear relationship relative to each other such as to provide an alignment axis 50 which extends perpendicular relative to the plane of the ball-striking face 12. Each of the holes 48 is conically shaped such that it tapers with depth to a visible point 52. The combined effect of all the visible points 52 provides for a more enhanced visual effect with regards to providing the alignment axis 50.

In an alternative embodiment the holes 48 may be filled with a material having a contrasting colour relative to the upper surface 16, or a portion thereof adjacent the holes 48, to provide alignment markers 48′. The alignment markers are such that they are highly visible to the human eye relative to the remainder of the upper surface 16. The alignment markers 48′ may be made from a plastics material.

Additionally, the means for facilitating alignment may also include a pair of parallel elongate marks, 54 and 56, which are disposed on the upper surface 16 either side of the alignment axis 50 such that the alignment axis 50 is equidistant between the marks 54 and 56. The marks, 54 and 56, are approximately the diameter of a standard golf ball apart and extend perpendicular relative to the plane of the ball-striking face 12. The marks, 54 and 56, may be applied to the upper surface 16 or alternatively may be in the form of grooves in the upper surface 16.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the upper surface 16 also has means for attaching a shaft to the putter head 10. The means for attaching a shaft may be in the form of a suitably sized shaft hole 58 into which a corresponding shaft may be inserted and fixed. It will be appreciated that other means of attaching a shaft may be used and other means are readily available in the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 6, a golf putter 60 comprises a putter head 10, as described above, and a shaft 62 extending from the shaft hole 58. The shaft is a standard golf putter shaft of a known type being connectable to a golf putter on one end and having a gripping surface at the opposite end. The shaft extends from the putter head at an angle relative to a vertical plane 64, such that when the putter head 10 is positioned square on the underlying surface the shaft extends towards the user. The putter shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 are examples of the putter and putter head for a right-handed golf player, whereas for a left-handed golf player the shaft hole 58 would be positioned towards the opposite side of the putter head and the shaft 62 would also extend towards the opposite side of the putter head.

In use, prior to striking a golf ball the putter head 10, according to the present invention, is placed behind the ball and allowed to rest with the setting surface 26 in contact with the underlying ground. In this position, the peripheral edges (36, 38, 42 and 44) are raised above the underlying ground and the putter head is laterally square and set in a desirable position for striking the ball cleanly and thereby accurately transposing the energy from the putter head to the ball. This greatly enhances the golfer's ability to make the putt to a length that is intended. If the putter head is resting on any of the other surfaces (i.e. either of the lateral surfaces 28 and 30, or either of the front or rear peripheral surfaces, 32 or 34), the golfer will be aware as the putter will not feel balanced because, as previously mentioned, the centre of gravity extends through the setting surface 26. In this case, the golfer can adjust the putter head until the centre of gravity extends through the setting surface 26. Prior to striking the ball, the golfer then ensures by visual alignment that the ball is positioned between the dimension of the marks, 54 and 56, and if so, aligns the ball striking face 12 to correspond with the direction he intends to strike the ball using the alignment axis 50 formed by the plurality of visual points 52. Once the putter is set with respect to the setting surface 26 and the alignment means the golfer can strike the ball. 

1. A golf putter head comprising an under surface, for contacting the ground, and a ball-striking face, wherein the under surface comprises a setting surface, operable to facilitate setting of the putter in the most optimum position on the ground prior to putting a golf ball, and a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface, the setting surface being disposed adjacent and between the first and second lateral surfaces, wherein at least one of the first and second lateral surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to the setting surface.
 2. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the under surface further comprises a front peripheral surface and a rear peripheral surface, the setting surface being disposed adjacent to and between the front and rear peripheral surfaces, wherein at least one of the front and rear peripheral surfaces are disposed at an angle relative to the setting surface.
 3. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the center of gravity of the putter head extends through the setting surface.
 4. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 1, comprising a leading edge along which the under surface meets with the ball striking face, wherein the leading edge is rounded or chamfered.
 5. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 1, comprising an upper surface comprising a plurality of substantially conically shaped holes, each hole tapering to a visual alignment point which collectively provide an alignment axis extending substantially perpendicular relative to the plane of the ball-striking face.
 6. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 1, comprising an upper surface having a plurality of parallel elongate alignment marks extending in a parallel relationship with an alignment axis extending substantially perpendicular relative to the plane of the ball-striking face.
 7. A golf putter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ball-striking surface comprises a plurality grooves extending thereinto, wherein adjacent grooves are spaced between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm apart, measured from center-to-center of adjacent grooves on the plane of the surface of the ball striking face.
 8. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adjacent grooves are spaced approximately 2 mm apart.
 9. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least part of one or more of the grooves are substantially arcuate in cross-section.
 10. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the grooves extend into the ball-striking face to a depth of less than 3 mm.
 11. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 10, wherein the grooves extend into the ball-striking face to a depth of approximately 0.25 mm.
 12. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 7, wherein two or more of the plurality of grooves are disposed in a substantially parallel relationship relative to each other.
 13. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 12, wherein adjacent parallel grooves are disposed less than 2 mm apart.
 14. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 13, wherein adjacent parallel grooves are disposed approximately 0.7 mm apart.
 15. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the grooves are less than 2.5 mm wide.
 16. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the grooves are approximately 1.3 mm wide.
 17. A golf putter head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ball striking face has a loft of approximately 4° or less, relative to a vertical plane.
 18. A golf putter comprising a shaft and a golf putter head as claimed in claim
 1. 19. A golf putter as claimed in claim 18, wherein the shaft extends upwards from the putter head at an angle towards the plane of the ball-striking surface.
 20. A golf putter as claimed in claim 18, wherein the shaft extends at an angle of between 10° and 25° relative to a vertical axis of the putter head.
 21. A golf putter as claimed in claim 20, wherein the shaft extends at an angle of approximately 19° relative to a vertical axis of the putter head.
 22. (canceled) 